Councillor Paula Fletcher says it’s time to decide whether Toronto is going to bet on a casino.

As City Hall waits for a now-delayed staff report on the pros and cons of a casino, Fletcher says councillors should weigh in on whether or not they want one in downtown Toronto.

While the issue has been in front of Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee, Fletcher pointed out council has yet to discuss a casino at all.

“And yet it is being discussed in the newspapers every day, there is negotiation between the (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) and the city … I think it is a bit of dog’s breakfast at the moment,” Fletcher said. “We should just deal with this. Why are we needing all these long, drawn-out conversations and then another year on casinos?”

City spokesman Jackie DeSouza said Thursday the city staff report on a casino isn’t finished yet. The report was supposed to be ready to go to executive committee next week.

“We still need to complete the report and then schedule the executive committee meeting,” DeSouza said.

Ford’s executive committee would debate the report before sending it on to council.

Fletcher says whenever the issue comes to council, councillors need to be able to ask a lot of questions about a casino.

“Right now there is nothing balanced, it is David and Goliath and these big casinos are really, definitely Goliath,” she said.

Councillor Ana Bailao — who had yet to make up her mind on a casino — said Thursday she is “strongly leaning” towards voting no but wants to see the final report from staff.

Bailao said she’s been listening to her community very carefully and they’re concerned.

“I’d say the majority of my residents are against a casino,” she said.

Time for Toronto council to talk casinos: Fletcher

Councillor Paula Fletcher says it’s time to decide whether Toronto is going to bet on a casino.

As City Hall waits for a now-delayed staff report on the pros and cons of a casino, Fletcher says councillors should weigh in on whether or not they want one in downtown Toronto.

While the issue has been in front of Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee, Fletcher pointed out council has yet to discuss a casino at all.

“And yet it is being discussed in the newspapers every day, there is negotiation between the (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) and the city … I think it is a bit of dog’s breakfast at the moment,” Fletcher said. “We should just deal with this. Why are we needing all these long, drawn-out conversations and then another year on casinos?”

City spokesman Jackie DeSouza said Thursday the city staff report on a casino isn’t finished yet. The report was supposed to be ready to go to executive committee next week.